| You use your knees every time you walk, run, or | | | | building joint cartilage, while the latter fights against |
| move your lower body at all. Knee pain, therefore, | | | | degeneration of cartilage. Studies have proven their |
| dramatically affects the daily life of sufferers, who | | | | effectiveness in alleviating osteoarthritic joint pain, but |
| must use their knees throughout the day. Knee pain | | | | have yet to demonstrate that these supplements |
| is the second only to back pain among American | | | | actually reverse the effects of cartilage degeneration |
| adult pain sufferers. Knee trouble is most often | | | | that have already taken place. |
| caused by osteoarthritis, a degenerative joint | | | | Modifying knee activity with physical aids such as |
| condition in which the cartilage that surrounds the | | | | padding, crutches, and splints, and even simple rest |
| two bones that comprise the knee joint wears | | | | take the pressure off of the knee and provide |
| away, sometimes causing painful joint-on-joint | | | | temporary knee pain relief while the joint recovers |
| contact. | | | | from injury. Conversely, specific exercises, stretching, |
| There are many treatment options for knee pain. | | | | and low-impact aerobic activities such as biking, |
| Under the care of a doctor, sufferers can select the | | | | walking and swimming increase joint strength and |
| most appropriate course of treatment to provide | | | | flexibility, promoting healing and reducing the risk of |
| optimum knee pain relief. Over-the-counter and | | | | further injury. |
| prescription medications including acetaminophen | | | | For severe knee injuries that have not responded to |
| (Tylenol) and aspirin reduce pain, and non-steroidal | | | | the aforementioned treatments, surgery remains an |
| anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) including ibuprofen, | | | | option. There are several common knee surgeries, |
| can reduce inflammation as well as knee joint pain. | | | | which range from exploratory arthroscopic surgery, |
| At-home remedies like ice packs and capsaicin, found | | | | which orthopedic physicians use to diagnose the |
| in cayenne pepper, often have a similar effect. | | | | exact source of knee pain so that they can |
| Natural supplements like chondroitin and glucosamine | | | | determine which behaviors and activities need to be |
| have become popular alternatives to traditional | | | | modified, all the way to a total knee replacement. |
| medicines in recent years because they present | | | | Whichever course of treatment a patient decides |
| fewer risks of side effects. Both are naturally | | | | upon, it is important to work alongside a physician to |
| occurring substances in the body. The former aids in | | | | ensure proper care. |